Fate And Free Will In Oedipus The King

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Fate is one of the most prominent driving forces of action in literature, but what happens when one tries to alter their fate. In the story Oedipus Rex, Sophocles tries to teach the reader a lesson on what would happen if someone tries to defy the gods by telling the story of Oedipus, a young king born into a terrible prophecy. Oedipus suffers greatly because his parents try to oppose the gods by killing Oedipus at birth because they were told not to have a child. Oedipus is saved by a shepherd and brought to a neighboring kingdom, allowing the prophecy that Jocasta and Laius’ child will murder his father and marry his mother to become reality. The message that Sophocles teaches the reader by sharing Oedipus’ misfortunes is trying to break …show more content…
Their determination the go against what the gods had planned for them not only cursed Oedipus, but his children as well. Oedipus says” Oh, children, if you could understand, I would give you so much advice; as it is just pray with me that you obtain a better life than did the father who sired you.” Oedipus wants to give the children advice almost as if it was his own fault that his parents tried to change their destiny. He has never connected the fact that his fate was cursed from the moment his ankles were nailed to the mountain he was found on. Oedipus doesn’t realize the severe backlash his parents actions have had on his future. Not only does Oedipus blame his fate he also blames his own actions. After finding Jocasta’s body Oedipus declares “No more, no more shall you look on the misery about me, the horrors of my own doing.” Oedipus shows obvious compunction but for no obvious reason. He didn’t intentionally murder his father and marry his mother. He was doomed to have a tragic final months of his life no matter what actions he took. So no one except Laius and Jocasta are liable for the disaster that took place in the

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